Outlook

Cocaine will remain the principal drug threat to West Virginia because of high levels of abuse and ready availability of the drug. The level of violence associated with the distribution and abuse of cocaine, particularly crack, will contribute to the magnitude of the threat. Caucasian and African American local independent dealers and loosely organized criminal groups as well as local street gangs will remain the primary transporters and distributors of cocaine in West Virginia.

Diverted pharmaceuticals will continue to pose a serious drug threat to West Virginia. Treatment data indicate that pharmaceutical abuse, particularly opiate abuse, is a significant problem, and there are no indications that abuse levels will decrease in the near term. Over the long term, the threat may decrease as law enforcement and legislative efforts to reduce the availability and abuse of diverted pharmaceuticals become more effective.

Marijuana will continue to be the most widely available and commonly abused illicit drug in West Virginia. Marijuana produced in Mexico likely will remain the most common type available; however, marijuana produced locally will be readily available as well. Caucasian and African American local independent dealers and loosely organized criminal groups as well as OMGs and local street gangs will remain the principal transporters and distributors of marijuana in West Virginia.

The threat posed by methamphetamine most likely will increase and spread from western West Virginia to other areas of the state. Increasing levels of methamphetamine-related violence will contribute to the overall threat. Most methamphetamine available in West Virginia will continue to be produced locally. Caucasian local independent dealers and loosely organized criminal groups as well as OMGs will remain the principal producers, transporters, and distributors of methamphetamine in West Virginia. Distribution by Mexican criminal groups will continue to increase.

Heroin likely will remain a low threat to West Virginia. However, the threat may increase as law enforcement and legislative efforts become more effective in decreasing the availability of diverted pharmaceuticals, particularly opiates, causing some users to switch to heroin. South American heroin will remain the most prevalent type of heroin available. Caucasian and African American local independent dealers and loosely organized criminal groups as well as local street gangs will remain the primary transporters and distributors of heroin in West Virginia.

The threat posed by other dangerous drugs such as MDMA, GHB, ketamine, and LSD likely will remain low in West Virginia.

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